GUWAHATI: The Brahmaputra Valley, where the election din has fallen silent after weeks of campaigning and voting, is now resonating with the lilting tunes and beats of Bihu. The state’s biggest festival, the Bohag Bihu or RongaliBihu, which could not be celebrated last year because of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, is all set to play out in this sylvan landscape.
Just as the cuckoo is bursting forth with its full-throated songs, youngsters are immersing themselves in pre-festivities, rehearsing their moves and songs in preparation for stage shows. Youngsters keep the tradition alive of visiting homes and performing in the courtyards of households.
Though the government is keeping a constant watch on the rising number of Covid cases, Bihu organizers here said they are gearing up for ‘uninterrupted Bihu celebrations’ this year. In upper Assam, where the revelry continues for more than a week, the people are already in a celebratory mood. After months of anxiety and uncertainty last year, they are ready to welcome the spring festival this election year.
Bihu exponent Ranjit Gogoi, who is training youngsters in his Rupnagar home here, said his team is very excited about performing on stage. But at the same time he appealed to the organisers to make sure the performers get justified remuneration. Budgets of Bihu committees have also been curtailed because of the pandemic.
“Everyone is excited about Bihu this year. We are all wearing masks during rehearsals and we want the festival to be celebrated with Covid protocols,” he said.
Gogoi has many invitations from organizers and is keeping his fingers crossed that the new guidelines do not play spoilsport. “The election is almost over and the Covid situation is still under control. We appeal to the audiences and organizers to stay safe so that the Bihu celebrations don’t get curbed. We cannot miss Rongali Bihu for two consecutive years,” he added.
Since the Bihu committees have not yet received any guidelines from the health department, preparations are on to erect big pandals. They urged the government to come out with Covid guidelines well in advance. “We are not in favour of banning Rongali Bihu celebrations, unless the Covid situation is grave. We have presumed that the Rongali Bihu celebration is on,” said Guwahati Bihu Sanmiloni, Latashil, adviser Kailash Sarma.
After the Brihattar Guwahati Bihu Sammanwayrakkhi Samiti, the coordination committee of the Bihu celebration committees in the city, decided not to hold cultural programmes that were scheduled to be staged in major Bihu pandals here last year due to Covid, the All Assam Students’ Union also cancelled the Mukoli Bihu that has been celebrated in the open air at the historic Judges’ Field for years.